Eastern Illinois to face tough opening stretch

Charleston, IL (Sports Network) - Defending Ohio Valley Conference champion
Eastern Illinois will play two FBS conference champions as part of a 12-game
schedule in 2013.

The early portion of the schedule will be particularly tough for coach Dino Babers' Panthers. They will open the season at Mountain West co-champion San Diego State on Aug. 31 and then visit Southern Illinois from the Missouri Valley Football Conference on Sept. 7.

EIU's home opener will be against in-state rival Illinois State in the Mid-
America Classic on Sept. 14. Illinois State also is a Missouri Valley member.

Next up is a visit to Northern Illinois, the defending Mid-American Conference
champion, on Sept. 21.

The Panthers then complete the opening month of action with their OVC opener
at home against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 28.

Each of EIU's first five opponents had a winning season this past year.